Do we have the right to offend?

[Mister M 1,622]

Absolutely right. I have a responsibility to use my right of free speech in a moderate manner but if i choose not to i shouldn't face any consequences.

 

Well if you were to go to Weston Park hospital and laugh at those with terminal cancer, and not expect any consequences for that boorish and outrageous behaviour, how would young people learn what's appropriate and what isn't. I'm sure that Sheffield Forum would be full of posters complaining about the behaviour of others.

In society we all have to rub along together somehow. By not facing the consequences of our actions, and our wider responsibilities to each other means that we all lose.

[tzijlstra 11]

Nothing.

 

Nothing happens when you offend someone. Its not like they get offended and their kidneys stop working. Its how they choose to react that makes the difference.

 

People are too damn sensitive they believe they have the right to not be offended and they don't. Everyone should be offended every day its good for you. You are not a special little snowflake with perfect absolute rights to be treated like gold by everyone. Nobody owes you a thing. If your feelings are hurt, so what? They'll recover. Suck it up buttercup and get on with your day. Stop your pitiful whining about being offended and move on. Everyone has too much to do without treading on eggshells round everyone else.

 

That said thats not to say you should deliberately antogonise people and go out of your way to upset them. But if its an accident then so what?

 

You come and tell me in my face that I am a [random but very accurate insult], for no other reason than that you want to offend me, I will be offended and get my retribution in one way or another.

 

Fairly sure that applies to you as well.

[discodown 11]

You come and tell me in my face that I am a [random but very accurate insult], for no other reason than that you want to offend me, I will be offended and get my retribution in one way or another.

 

Fairly sure that applies to you as well.

Did you not read the last bit or are you choosing to ignore it?

[Jmack 10]

No what you mean is, that it doesn't have a lot of relevance with the discussion that you are trying to provoke, which is different.

 

Let me put this in your frame (as you are clearly on the warpath) if you offended me on the basis that I am a different race, sexuality or something else equally divisive, I would choose between ignoring you, offending you back, finding out who you are and threaten you or suing you (and possibly sheffieldforum.co.uk for allowing me to be offended by you) depending on the severity of the case and the amount of alcohol I consumed.

 

I don't disagree with what you say there. I'm not saying that we should all have to sit by while we get offended and that we have no right to respond. What i'm saying is that i do have a right to free speech and that means i can say what i want. If you want to have an argument with me as a result. Fine. But i do object when people believe they have a right to never be offended.

Edited January 24, 2014 by Jmack

[Halibut 12]

I don't disagree with what you say there. I'm not saying that we should all have to sit by while we get offended and that we have no right to respond. What i'm saying is that i do have a right to free speech and that means i can say what i want. If you want to have an argument with me as a result. Fine. But i do object when people believe they have a right to never be offended.

 

I don't think I've ever come across such a person, have you?

[tzijlstra 11]

Did you not read the last bit or are you choosing to ignore it?

 

alcohol, reading does not mean absorbing in my case.

[Mister M 1,622]

But should there be?

 

Yes I think there should.

[tzijlstra 11]

I don't disagree with what you say there. I'm not saying that we should all have to sit by while we get offended and that we have no right to respond. What i'm saying is that i do have a right to free speech and that means i can say what i want. If you want to have an argument with me as a result. Fine. But i do object when people believe they have a right to never be offended.

 

So you enjoy being offended? Not quite sure I get what you mean.

[Jessica23 10]

You don't have a right to free speech. You have a right to break the law by speaking illegal stuff if you so choose. Is different. Look it up.

[Jmack 10]

Well if you were to go to Weston Park hospital and laugh at those with terminal cancer, and not expect any consequences for that boorish and outrageous behaviour, how would young people learn what's appropriate and what isn't. I'm sure that Sheffield Forum would be full of posters complaining about the behaviour of others.

In society we all have to rub along together somehow. By not facing the consequences of our actions, and our wider responsibilities to each other means that we all lose.

 

If any one did that at Weston park they'd be thrown out the building and someone would probably clump them. I don't have a problem with that. By consequences i mean legal consequences.

 

---------- Post added 24-01-2014 at 21:25 ----------

 

So you enjoy being offended? Not quite sure I get what you mean.

 

No one enjoys being offended. It's whether you believe we should all adapt to that persons offence or if we can continue regardless.

[Mister M 1,622]

If any one did that at Weston park they'd be thrown out the building and someone would probably clump them. I don't have a problem with that. By consequences i mean legal consequences.

 

---------- Post added 24-01-2014 at 21:25 ----------

 

 

No one enjoys being offended. It's whether you believe we should all adapt to that persons offence or if we can continue regardless.

 

Yes - just today I think 2 Twitter trolls were convicted for sending hateful messages that were offensive & that's how it should be.

[Jessica23 10]

Yes - just today I think 2 Twitter trolls were convicted for sending hateful messages that were offensive & that's how it should be.

 

Sentenced to time in prison, no less.